Chapter Text
"So," Thomas said, as he poured tea into a cup. Vincent pushed away his empty breakfast plate, and Thomas placed the tea in front of him.
"First thing I'd like you to do when you see Aldo," Thomas continued, "is tell him you are asking him to continue in his position as Secretary of State until you decide on a permanent appointment."
"Why not just make it permanent to begin with?" asked Vincent.
"You don't know Aldo, and Aldo doesn't know you," said Thomas.
"But you do."
"Yes," Thomas acknowledged. He poured a cup of tea for himself.
"And you think he is a good Secretary of State? That he should continue in his position?"
"I do." Thomas took a sip of his tea, then put down the cup. "But put it this way. Even if I were Pope, I wouldn't confirm his position permanently just yet. Being Pope, I might see things differently than when I was a Cardinal. I'd want to take time, let things settle in before making anything permanent."
"I see. But I should immediately issue the provisional stay in place order so things keep running in the meanwhile?"
"Yes, exactly."
"So what about all the other positions in the Curia? Shouldn't I issue a stay in place order for them, too?"
"Well --"
There was a knock at the door. Thomas glanced at Vincent for permission, then called out, "Yes?"
The door opened and Ray came in. "Good morning, Your Holiness, Eminence," he said. "Eminences Tedesco, Tremblay, and Adeyemi are downstairs."
"Oh," said Vincent. "Tremblay and Adeyemi. What are we going to do about them?"
"That's why the only stay in place order you are issuing today is for Aldo," said Thomas. "And for now --"